By this account here, Rasheed Wallace is the NBA's all-time leader in technical fouls with 304 in his career (we had no idea anybody was tracking that sort of thing, but we were delighted to find it). But based on new guidelines put out by the NBA, we have reason to believe that several players will challenge this total in years to come. And we have to imagine the single-season record of 41 (!) -- also set by 'Sheed -- is in serious jeopardy. Because as impressive as it is to get one tech every two games, we can really see the T's flying with the new rules in play. Via Henry Abbott:

Referees have been instructed to call a technical for: • Players making aggressive gestures, such as air punches, anywhere on the court. • Demonstrative disagreement, such as when a player incredulously raises his hands, or smacks his own arm to demonstrate how he was fouled. • Running directly at an official to complain about a call. • Excessive inquiries about a call, even in a civilized tone. In addition, referees have been instructed to consider calling technicals on players who use body language to question or demonstrate displeasure, or say things like, "Come on!" They can also consider technicals for players who "take the long path to the official", walking across the court to make their case. For the 2005-06 season, the NBA announced a similar crackdown, but the effect was short-lived. Officials say this time they expect the new policies to stick. For those of us who hate the sight of whining on every single semi-questionable call, this is possibly good news. But for those of us who also enjoy NBA games that last fewer than three hours -- and the overlap with those who hate whining is probably pretty strong within this group -- this is not good news. If truly strictly enforced, we can envision a minimum of 34 technical fouls being called every game, with 6 players on each side earning ejections for picking up two T's. Seriously, look at those guidelines again. While you were reading, 'Sheed picked up two technical fouls on the same play (yeah, allegedly he's retired now, but it doesn't matter). Tim Duncan just got bug-eyed and extended his arms all the way to the showers. This has to be a cosmetic move, right? Because we're not sure players could help themselves, even if they knew the consequences were real.